Senate resumes probe of broadband deal

After a long lull, the Senate on Tuesday resumed its investigation into the anomalous $329-million national broadband network (NBN) with China’s ZTE.

Present at the hearing of the joint committees on accountability of public officers and investigations (blue ribbon), trade and commerce, and national defense were losing bidder Jose de Venecia III, former Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, and whistleblower Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada Jr.

Also invited to the hearing were Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Social Security System president Romulo Neri, Securities and Exchange Commissioner Manuel Huberto Gaite, Philippine National Railways chairman Michael Defensor, University of Philippines Prof. Felipe Medalla, and Ramon Sales, former chairman of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology.

In separate letters to Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the blue ribbon committee, Gaite and Defensor said they could not attend the proceeding because of their previous out-of-town engagements.

Besides, Gaite said he has already testified lengthily on the issue.

Favila made the same statement in a separate letter to Gordon, “I don’t think my presence would be helpful and I’ve already testified and answered to the best of my knowledge.”

De Venecia and Lozada also admitted that they have no new information to offer in the hearing.

Speaking to reporters before the hearing, both De Venecia and Lozada asked for the immediate closure of the investigation.

“I don’t know why I’m still here,” De Venecia said, when asked about Gordon’s statement that he should also be charged in court for his participation in the anomalous deal.

“Naitaya ko na lahat dito. Hinihingi ko na lang na lumalabas ang katotohanan (I have given everything I know here. I only ask that the truth will come out),” Lozada said.